Archive for June, 2009

With environmental awareness becoming more and more of a business and social priority, fears are lessening about the planet “running on empty.” However, Jackson Browne and the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion still want to do their part to keep eco-friendliness on the top of everyone’s mind.

On July 16th, Ocean Bank and Public Service of New Hampshire, in coordination with the New Hampshire Business Resource Center, will present Greenerpalooza II, a celebration of New Hampshire’s energy efficiency efforts at Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion. Set against the backdrop of the much-anticipated Jackson Browne and Shawn Colvin concert, the evening’s festivities will include a special “eco village” on the Meadowbrook midway where New Hampshire businesses and members of the general public will be able to learn how to “go greener.”

“Energy efficiency is an absolutely critical subject for businesses and residents alike,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher. “When you take a closer look at your energy usage, not only are you helping to protect the environment, you’re improving your bottom line. Energy efficiency equals cost savings.”

Greenerpalooza II is designed to showcase New Hampshire products, services and programs that can help individuals and businesses save energy and dollars.

According to Janet Brewer, Vice President and Director of Community Development at Ocean Bank, “Greenerpalooza is a great way for us to celebrate our Energy Efficiency Program and the terrific partnership we enjoy with the New Hampshire Business Resource Center, while pushing the green initiative further. As part of the eco-village at Meadowbrook, we’ll be on hand so attendees can find out more about this program, as well as about the many different alternatives there are in New Hampshire to help reduce energy consumption.”

Pat McDermott, Economic and Community Development Manager for PSNH, added that the utility is pleased to support the event.

“From an energy-efficiency, environmental and sustainability point of view, the timing couldn’t be better for this event; and Meadowbrook is a great example of how a New Hampshire business is doing the right thing for the environment,” he said.

Meadowbrook was the natural choice for the venue given President R.J. Harding’s concern about the environment. Under his leadership, Meadowbrook has changed the way it does business so it will have the least possible negative impact on the environment.

“We still have a lot of green improvements we want to make as a venue, but for us, the opportunity to create awareness and educate our customers is one of the biggest impacts we can have,” said Meadowbrook Marketing Director Chris Lockwood who was part of the team overseeing last year’s Phase I improvements. “That awareness has led to the introduction of some great partners like WXRV “The River,” one of only two solar powered radio stations in the country. It has also gained the attention of artists who are concerned about the environment and welcome Meadowbrook’s green efforts.”

This year Jackson Browne’s tour has asked to run the sound off Meadowbrook’s biodiesel generator. The tour also has converted their lighting system to LED lights which are much better for the environment.

Tickets to the Jackson Browne and Shawn Colvin concert, which include entry into the eco-village, are available online at www.meadowbrook.net. For more on energy efficiency programs and resources for New Hampshire businesses, call the New Hampshire Business Resource Center at 603-271-2341 or visit www.nheconomy.com.

The Community Loan Fund was notified today that it will receive a $2-million federal stimulus grant to help boost New Hampshire’s economic recovery.

The grant, announced this afternoon by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, will enable the Community Loan Fund to make more funding available to manufactured housing communities and the homeowners who live in them, as well as to small businesses, child care providers and non-profit facilities.

The Community Loan Fund is a non-profit financial organization that turns investments from individuals and institutions into fixed-rate loans and education that create opportunity and transform the lives of people with low and moderate incomes across New Hampshire.

Community Loan Fund President Juliana Eades said news of the CDFI Fund award comes at an opportune moment.

“During tumultuous economic times, more families, small businesses and nonprofit housing developers look to us for capital,” Eades said. “This grant means another step toward meeting their needs. It will also improve our ability to attract additional funding and community partners.”

The grant will have a major impact in New Hampshire’s cities and towns. The Community Loan Fund estimates that the capital attracted by the federal dollars, combined with nearly 30,000 hours of technical assistance, will translate to more than $10 million worth of unique, non-bankable, fixed-rate lending per year.

The Community Loan Fund was among 59 Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in 26 states and Puerto Rico that received a total of $90 million in financial assistance in today’s announcement. Two million dollars was the largest grant.

News of the grant comes less than two weeks after Federal Reserve System Chairman Ben S. Bernanke publicly praised the role of CDFIs in spurring economic growth and development. In a speech to the Global Financial Literacy Summit in Washington, D.C., Bernanke said:

“These organizations have loaned and invested billions of dollars in our nation’s most distressed communities and have attracted many conventional investors into underserved areas. For small businesses in particular, CDFIs provide critical funding because many traditional creditors view such loans as too risky or, sometimes, too small to be profitable. As a complement to lending, CDFIs offer training and technical assistance to their customers, directly or through partnerships, thus increasing borrower capacity and mitigating loan risk. Successful CDFI borrowers often graduate to conventional financing as their needs grow, thereby attracting the participation of mainstream lenders while freeing up CDFI resources to plant new seeds in the community.”

The CDFI Fund program invests in and builds the capacity of a nationwide network of community-based financial institutions with a primary mission of community development in economically distressed urban, rural, and Native communities. The CDFI Fund receives applications on an annual basis and awards funds through a competitive process. For more information, visit http://www.cdfifund.gov.

The Community Loan Fund collaborates with a wide range of business, nonprofit and government partners to provide the fair loans and support people need to own homes, have quality jobs and child care, and become financially independent. Established in 1983, the Community Loan Fund was one of the first Community Development Financial Institutions in the nation, and has received industry awards and recognition for social impact, financial strength and performance. For more information, visit http://www.theloanfund.org or call (603) 224-6669.

Oh, my aching back! If you’re one of the more than 65 million Americans who suffer from back pain, you will want to be listening to WTPL’s “First Class Business” segment on Thursday, July 2nd at 4 p.m. when New Hampshire NeuroSpine Institute (NHNSI) Executive Director Anne Talbot-Kleeman is interviewed.

“With back pain being one of the most common reasons for disability and incapacity for work in the western world, this topic is certainly timely,” said New Hampshire Today Host Jack Heath who, along with New Hampshire Department of Resources & Economic Development Commissioner George Bald, hosts the “First Class Business” segment. “We’ll be addressing prevention, treatment and all of the helpful ways that you can direct your back health so that you can save thousands of dollars in medical bills.”

Commissioner Bald said that New Hampshire NeuroSpine Institute perfectly fits the “First Class Business” category – with an eye toward innovation and continuous improvement, NHNSI is setting the standard in their industry.

“Not only is NHNSI unique in that it offers many types of spine specialists and treatments under one roof, it is also at the forefront of research and education,” Bald said. “They stay abreast of cutting edge technology and offer state-of-the-art medical and surgical care in the community, allowing their patients to avoid traveling outside of the area to receive the best possible care.”

“First Class Business” appears on a monthly basis as part of the “New Hampshire Today” program that runs from 3-5 p.m. Monday through Friday on “The Pulse.” “New Hampshire Today” host Jack Heath and New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development Commissioner George Bald share good news about innovative new products created by New Hampshire companies, community service projects undertaken by local businesses and firms that are thriving despite a tough economic climate.

To listen live, tune in to WTPL 107.7 on Thursday, July 2nd at 4 p.m. or visit WTPL online at www.wtplfm.com.

The Division of Economic Development recently ventured north of the border to Drummondville, Quebec to hold a private dinner for 53 Canadian companies interested in learning more about doing business in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Department of Resources & Economic Development Commissioner George Bald was the host of the event along with State Business Development Manager Michael Bergeron and North Country Business Services Specialist Beno Lamontagne. Marie-Josee Vaillant and Marie-Soleil Gueymard of Colebrook-based Kheops International were also on hand, sharing their valuable experience of moving their company from Canada to New Hampshire.

“We were overwhelmed by the great response we received from the Canadian companies in attendance,” Bergeron said. “They were thrilled that we conducted the business portion of the dinner in their native language and that we had so much to offer in terms of valuable information. I’m very hopeful that we were able to plant the seed that will result in a few companies taking a much closer look at Coos County as they plan a business expansion or relocation.”

The sales presentation was sponsored through a federal grant coordinated through the North Country Council.

I usually try to cap off each day with some great news and there’s almost no better news in the economic development world than the expansion of a local business. With that in mind, I bring to you this press release regarding the good folks over at Teleflex Medical OEM in Jaffrey.

Teleflex Medical OEM − a global leader in precision extrusion and medical devices − has announced that it has completed the expansion of its medical device manufacturing facility in Jaffrey, NH, including the installation of a state-of-the-art clean room. The Teleflex Medical OEM segment also announced the addition of 65 new jobs at the site.

To mark these milestones, the Teleflex Medical OEM segment recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the facility located in Jaffrey. The event featured presentations by local dignitaries, guided tours, and a reception.

The opening of the clean room marks a major investment by Teleflex Medical OEM in a facility that is known for its portfolio of advanced medical devices used in cardiology, radiology, urology, and other critical areas of medicine. Major medical equipment manufacturers routinely select Teleflex Medical OEM to design, prototype, and manufacture custom medical devices for special surgical applications.

The climate-controlled clean room will provide additional space for the development and production of next-generation medical devices. Air quality, temperature, and humidity will be highly regulated to protect sterile product from contamination, and to create a clean environment to assemble and package sensitive medical components. To minimize potential contaminates, clean room visitors must wear lint-free, protective clothing that helps prevent human skin or hair particles from entering the room’s atmosphere.

It’s no secret that small businesses are the backbone of the New Hampshire economy. As just another example of the number of people who are interested in either starting or growing their own business, the venue of the Small Business Financing Fair being organized by Senator Jeanne Shaheen has changed to a much larger location. See below for all of the details.

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen officially announced today that due to overwhelming demand, the June 29th Small Business Financing Fair will be moved to the Southern New Hampshire University’s Gymnasium located at the Athletics and Recreation Complex. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with more than 40 vendors, including 16 banks and lending institutions.

The Fair will provide current and prospective small business owners the opportunity to network with potential financing partners and learn about state, federal, and private funding resources. Shaheen organized the Small Business Fair with the assistance of the Small Business Administration, Small Business Development Center, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, the New Hampshire Bankers Association, New Hampshire Employment Security and Southern New Hampshire University.

Savvy business owners know their market and there is perhaps no savvier business owner than Anne Deli of Laconia Harley-Davidson.

I was absolutely convinced that the real hook for being able to speak to motorcylists visiting our state during Bike Week was the fact that State Business Recruiter Cindy Harrington and I would be in business suits on the back of Harleys. The juxtaposition of business attire amidst the sea of black leather would surely be an attention getter. Anne told me that it didn’t matter…..and she was right.

“You will never hear one Harley rider asking another Harley rider what he or she does for work….it doesn’t matter,” Anne said. “What matters are the motorcycles and the love of riding. That’s what binds all of our customers together.”

Still, the sight of two people in professional business attire on the back of Harleys must have been at least a little disconcerting, even if our fellow riders weren’t about to bring that fact to our attention. About the closest anyone came to asking about our non-traditional garb was a female biker who asked if I was a Jehovah’s witness.

What I was was a member of a two-person business recruitment team taking part in the “No Bull Business Run,” a motorcycle journey that left Laconia Harley-Davidson at 11 a.m. yesterday, wound its way to “Rally in the Valley” in North Conway and sped back to Laconia Harley later in the day. The purpose – to hand out collateral material regarding New Hampshire’s great business atmosphere and quality of life to visiting bikers, an upscale and affluent demographic ripe for our message about low taxes and Yankee independence.

As neither Cindy nor I are motorcyclists, we were led on our journey by Nick and Michelle from Laconia Harley, motorcycle enthuasiasts of the highest order. Accompanying us on the trip in a car were Laconia Harley’s Anne and Steve Deli, the most gracious hosts and partners we ever could have asked for, and Monica Bardier from Ping PR who was coordinating the public relations activities for the run.

What did we learn from the “No Bull Business Run”? We learned that riders love New Hampshire – they love visiting a state where the motto “Live Free or Die” still resonates, they love the natural beauty of a state that is traditionally named amongst the most livable and they love being able to shop in a state without a sales tax. We learned that visitors to our state enjoy our non-traditional approach to business recruitment – as one biker said, “This would have never happened in Massachusetts.” And what we also learned is that being on a Harley induces a state of euphoria that is unmatched – it was AWESOME.

As you might imagine, an undertaking of this kind requires a ton of planning and preparation, so much thanks is in order to the following: First and foremost Anne and Steve Deli, owners of Laconia Harley-Davidson (www.laconiaharley.com) and White Mountain Harley – this dynamic duo are two of the best business ambassadors the State has to offer; Michelle and Nick from Laconia Harley for keeping Cindy and I safe on the road; the entire staff of Laconia and White Mountain Harley – your friendliness and assistance was so greatly appreciated; Public Service of New Hampshire (and Pat McDermott in particular) for your generous sponsorship and partnership(www.psnh.com); Monica Bardier from Ping PR (www.mypingpr.com) for doing a masterful job coordinating all PR activities; Nancy Clark and the great gang over at the Glen Group (www.glengroup.com) for designing a kick….um…butt collateral piece for us to hand out – it’s a keeper!; to Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion (www.meadowbrook.net) for the free concert tickets and backstage passes to Live and Candlebox – this offer made our collateral piece a hot commodity; to Deb Avery and Leslie Sherman from the Business Resource Center for expertly manning our booth at Laconia Harley; and to Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy for trusting me enough to carry out the crazy ideas that bounce around my cranium.

Thanks also to the many bikers we met along the way yesterday. We love having you here as visitors and want you to return as business owners!

– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director

P.S. To see more photos of the “No Bull Business Run,” join our fan page on Facebook under “NH Economy.”

UPDATED – This segment will actually run next Sunday, June 28th at the same time. The status of business taxes will be featured this Sunday.

The work of the New Hampshire Economic Development Advisory Council (EDAC) will be in the spotlight on WMUR’s “New Hampshire’s Business” segment on Sunday, June 21st as part of the 7-9 a.m. newscast.

Hosted by Fred Kocher (who serves as a key member of the Advisory Council), the segment will feature New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy as well as Council member Mark Godfrey, President of Felton Brush.

The duo will discuss the formation and work of the EDAC and provide an update on the progress of the five Action Teams assembled to tackle subjects as varied as the development of a “green” economy and the refining of the state’s workforce development system.

For the uninitiated, the EDAC is a 25-member board legislatively created to provide counsel to the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development on all aspects of doing business in the Granite State.

Do your Dad a favor and wake him up early on Sunday with this Father’s Day present – coffee with WMUR, Fred Kocher and the EDAC!

I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome all of our brothers and sisters from the International Trade Resource Center (www.exportnh.com) who officially moved into the Concord office yesterday.

This dedicated group of professionals is a rich resource for any business looking to export their products and services internationally. Whether you have a question about export regulations or international protocol, the ITRC should be on your speed dial.

The New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s business recruitment team took to the road yesterday as they led 28 southern tier real estate brokers on a bus tour of industrial properties in the Lakes Region.

Sponsored by Public Service of New Hampshire, the broker tour included Franklin, Tilton, Gilford, Laconia and Belmont.

“This was an excellent way for commercial real estate brokers to see a part of the state that they may not be familiar with,” said Public Service of New Hampshire Economic and Community Development Manager Pat McDermott. “Education is key in helping clients to find the right business location and this tour was pretty rich with information regarding the region.”

“The Franklin/Laconia region is an excellent area to expand business,” added New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Business Development Manager Michael Bergeron. “It has affordable space with an excellent quality of life and abundant cultural amenities. It offers the best of all worlds.”

If you’re interested in expanding or relocating your business to the Granite State, please call Michael Bergeron at (603) 271-2341 or contact him via email at mbergeron@dred.state.nh.us.